DERBYSHIRE'S top cop is a crime-cracking community bobby from Glossop.

Community beat officer PC Julian Gallagher beat hundreds of other nominees from the county to be awarded the Chief Constable's Cup.

Family man Julian, of Hadfield, said: "I am really chuffed. You get verbal recognition in this job but this is just something else. It is great to be recognised for the work I have done in my spare time as well as in my full time.

"But it's not been possible on my own. It is all thanks to the members of the Safer Neighbourhood Partnership, who have backed us all the way."

Julian has worked on the Glossop team for two years out of the six he has been with the Derbyshire Police. He started his as a special constable. And since joining Glossop, he has come up with some innovative schemes by talking to people of all ages in the community.

Radio Link, Teachers on Patrol and the cinema project are all Julian's brainchilds. And as a result, truancy and shoplifting rates have dropped considerably, and young people's requests for better facilities do not fall on deaf ears.

Phil Latcham, assistant principal at Glossopdale Community College, nominated Julian for the award. He said: "Julian was the first beat officer to come in and speak to the students at the school.

"He established a rapport with them based on respect and he was able to relate very effectively.

"The other work that he has done in the community has also impacted positively on the school."

Mr Latcham added that the award was also a great credit to Inspector Stuart Thompson. He said: "Insp Thompson gives his officers the independence to run with their ideas."

And speaking about PC Gallagher's award, Insp Stuart Thompson said: "Julian is a very committed officer who has worked extremely hard over the last 12 months."

He said it is the second time in three years that officers from Glossop have won the award. In 2005, beat officer Paula Doyle won the cup for work done in Gamesley.